War Diary of AA Laporte Payne

Extracted from

Brigade Diary, Personal Diary, Operation Orders, Note Books, Memoranda & Correspondence

—————–

1915

April 20 1915

R.P.

R.A. Mess

Shoeburyness

“There is plenty to do here, and we are kept hard at it. We wear canvas clothes and are treated as ordinary tommies.  We rise at 6.45 a.m.  Breakfast at 7.45 a.m.  Parades from 8.30 to noon or rather 12.30,p.m., then again from 1.30 to 5.30 p.m.  Then tea and lectures till dinner time.  Dinner takes an hour and a quarter.  They turn out about 200 officers a month here.  The detachment I am in consists of 24 subalterns under Captain Nelson V.C.  He was a sergeant in “L” Battery R.H.A. and is now a Captain and our instructor.  we are drilled by a regular sergeant one named Ford.

Eight of us live in one of the staff houses, and are quite comfortable. Two of us have a large room to ourselves.  I share with a man named Cousens.  Our camp kit is our furniture.  Dexter & Gould are both here.  The course lasts four weeks.

Alfred George Richardson’s Diary Apr 1915

1915 diary shows Bombardier Gunner (Signalling Dept) A. G. Richardson 4^th Section, West Riding Divisional Ammunition Column R.F.A., Norfolk Barracks Sheffield.

Home Address:- Station House, Ben Rhydding near Leeds. Yorks.

Sheffield.

Thursday 1^st April 1915:         Rose at 8 am.  Went a bike ride in morning via Ilkley, Askwith, Otley & Burly.  Played & beat Dad at golf.  Also played Miss M. Whitaker & Miss A. Baines.  In Ilkley at night.

Friday 2^nd April 1915:             Good Friday.  Dad & I v Mr Watkin & Mr Petty at golf.  We won 12 holes, halved 5 & lost 1.  Afternoon wet & went to see Mrs Hartley.  Crucifixion at night at Ben R. Church.  Excellent.

Saturday 3^rd April 1915:         Left Ben R 6.45  Sheffield arr 8.56.  Saw Doctor.  Vaccinated.  Fainted!!  Stables 4 pm.  Stable Picket 6 pm.  Writing letters at night.

Sheffield & Blackheath

Sunday 4^th April 1915:            Easter Sunday. Stables.  Relieved to go to Church & Communion 10.45 am.  Stables afternoon till 7 pm.

Monday 5^th April 1915:          Stables relieving Geo Sheard.  Field Day at Totley.  29 Horses stampede.  7 men injured.  Terrible accident.

Tuesday 6^th April 1915:          Firing at 100 yards .303 Totley Range.  Scored 18 out of 20.  out at night.  Raining hard all day.

Wednesday 7^th April 1915:     Firing at 200 & 300 yards Totley Range.  Rapid, Sniping & Deliberate.  Gate Picquet at night.

Thursday 8^th April 1915:         Gate Picquet all day.  Out at night.  Raining.  Packed up for moving.

Friday 9^th April 1915:             Left Sheffield 9.21 am.  Arrived King’s X 3 pm       & Blackheath 4 pm.  Went to billets – in a mansion – Fine.  On Stable Picket at night.

Saturday 10^th April 1915:       Stable Picquet all day.  Went to Greenwich, London Bridge & Cannon Street at night.  Searchlights on Thames were fine.  Appointed N.C.O. in charge of Forage with Potts as my right hand man.

Blackheath Southampton Le Havre.

Sunday 11^th April 1915:          Went for my 1^st ride on horseback with Bdr.             Wilkinson.  Signalling on Blackheath Common.  Out with Geof            Stead at night at Tower Bridge, Tower, Fleet Str., Strand, Trafalgar Square, Westminster.  Bus & Tube.

Monday 12^th April 1915:        In charge of Forage.  Potts & I obtain it from A.S.C.  50 miles.

Tuesday 13^th April 1915:        Forage gathering.  On Guard at 6 pm.  Extremely cold.  25 miles.

Wednesday 14^th April 1915:   On Guard all day.  Packing up at night.  46 miles arrive.

Thursday 15^th April 1915:       Getting forage for 114 mules & 5 horses.  Very busy indeed.  Out with A.S.C wagon.  Everything ready for moving off.  Packed at 8 pm 9 pm & 12 midnight.  All ready.  Order to “Stand By”.  Drew up in order at 12.

Friday 16^th April 1915:           Set off 2 am from Blackheath & went by rail to Woolwich Arsenal.  Left Woolwich 6.50 am. arrived Southampton 11 am.  left S. at 6.20 pm on H.M.S. “A***”.  Lights out & all below deck at 8 pm.  Safe & calm crossing.

Saturday 17^th April 1915:       Arrived Le Havre 3 am.  Disembarked 9 am.  All day spent in unloading & getting everything ready for entraining.  Drew 3 days train rations for 120 mules & 80 men.  Stable Picket at night.

Le Havre – Merville – Haverskerque.

Sunday 18^th April 1915:          Left Le Havre at 3 pm.  Beautiful travelling in France.  Scenery extra.   6 of us in forage wagon.  Ripping.  Arrived Rouen 11 pm.  Went to “Kip” at 12 pm.

Monday 19^th April 1915:        Arrived Abbeville 5 am.  Train via Boulogne, Calais & St. Omer to Hazebrouck.  Crossed Yser Canal.  2 Bridges blown up.  Trenches everywhere.  Arrived Berguette 12.5 pm.  Went to Camp 5 miles away.

Tuesday 20^th April 1915:        On Guard during night.  Terrific cannonading at the front.  We are only 8 miles from Neuve Chapelle.  Forage all day.  Beautiful weather.  Met, very luckily, my brother Arnold & Wilf Dawson at night at St. Vanon.  Very pleasant evening spent together.  Letter from home.  Saw 4 W.R. R.F.A.

Wednesday 21^st April 1915:   Haverskerque.  Went with A.S.C. for forage.  Beautiful weather.  Hard work getting wagons out of park.  “Fall in the Gunners”.  Got Paid 5 f.  Saw Arnold.

Thursday 22^nd April 1915:      Went for forage with A.S.C.  Great trouble getting wagons away.  Mules stubborn.  ”Fall in the Gunners”.  Saw Arnold.

Friday 23^rd April 1915:           Foraging  with A.S.C.  Attending to forage etc all day.  On Guard at night.  Very cold indeed.

Saturday 24^th April 1915:       Left Haverskerque at 9 am & travelled by road via Merville (In Ruins) to Estaires where we arrived 4 pm.  5 miles from Neuve Chapel.  Heavy firing going.  Whole of the line lit up with searchlights, star shells etc.  Very fascinating.  Weather: – Extremely hot during day & cold at night.

Gonnehem.

Sunday 25^th April 1915:          Reveille 4.30 am.  Left Estaires 7 am via Merville & Locon & arrived Gonnehem 6 pm.  Tired out.  On Guard!  Saw 4^th R.F.A. pass en route & Arnold etc.

Monday 26^th April 1915:        Reveille 6 am.  Went with A.S.C. for forage in morning. Afternoon filling nose bags.              Gonnehem.  Paid 10 f.

Tuesday 27^th April 1915:        Went to A.S.C. for forage.  Afternoon spent lying down basking in the Sun.  Went down to Gonnehem at night.

Wednesday 28^th April 1915:   Went to A.S.C. for forage.  Afternoon went to Chocques for exchange of 6 Oats for 8 Bran.  Out in village at night.

Thursday 29^th April 1915:       Went to A.S.C. for forage in morning.  In the afternoon went to Chocques to change Oats for Bran.  Place shut up at night, had a good bust up.

Friday 30^th April 1915:           Went to A.S.C. for forage in morning.  In the afternoon, went to Chocques to change 10 Oats for 14 Bran.  Evening spent in cleaning parade ground.  17 f Paid.

30^th April

Bordon

Easter 1915

Dear M & P

Just a few more things I don’t think I shall need.  We expect to leave here for Winchester.  We are all mobilised and were inspected today.  Our Section are the Telegraphists for the 28^th Brigade which consists of 10^th Highland Light Inf, 11^th HLI, 9^th Scottish Rifles and 6^th Kings Own Scottish Borderers.  Allcock and myself are at Headqrs with the General.  So we should be OK.

Do not know if we shall have any leave before going away.

Will drop you a line when we move.  Hope Gladys is better and did well in her exam.  What is George doing now?  Well I want to catch this post so bye bye for present

Burgy

H.M.S. “ALBION”

30^th April 1915

At 4.45 a.m. on 28^th April, weighed, and proceeded to take up position 170. W to support right flank as ordered.

At 6.10, came under fire, replied about 6.12; under occasional fire until about 7 a.m.  Observed white screen in Domuz Deresi valley probably an aiming mark.  At 8.50 observed French troops advance from Totts Battery; their line then wheeled to left and faced about W.N.W.  At 9.5 fired on enemy on ridge up Kereves valley.  For remainder of forenoon took station about 163.F, in order to see up Kereves valley.  At 9.45 Totts signalled that enemy were advancing in Square 176.T, the position recently shelled by “ALBION”.  About 9.40 observed and sank a mine.  At 9.50 noticed French troops facing to their right towards Achi Baba, then saw they were under gun fire.  Continued firing at intervals.  At 11.0 right gun, Fore Turret, valve box cracked.  At 11.20 shot struck near stem, went astern, apparently no damage.

At noon opened heavy fire on body of Turks seen in former position, and continued supporting French Flank.  Frequently under fire sometimes from heavy guns which we could not locate.

At 12.55, “LORD NELSON” coming up to relieve, 1.0 proceeded, at 1.3 hit aft port side.  Ammunition expended for day, 12” 7, 6” 165, 12 pr. 134 largely on Turks in the open.  Enemy fired 54 rounds at “ALBION” including many heavy shells.

On arrival at North Side of Rabbit Island, ordered TEES alongside, and DEMETIAN to proceed to Gaba Tepe; saw RIVERSDALE anchored south side.  Noticed that “ALBION” was holed before collision bulkhead; sent down divers to examine who reported that plating had parted 11 ft by 2” horizontally, 2 ft by 2” vertically; a split 2 ft by 2”, and several rivets out.  Ship side badly bulged.

Ceased taking in ammunition, but continued getting out empties and reported damage.  Directed by Rear Admiral to complete with ammunition and rejoin Flag, unless orders to the contrary were received from the Vice Admiral, and later by Vice Admiral to proceed to Mudros if necessary.  Considered it necessary, and proceeded at midnight arriving at Mudros at 5 a.m. 29^th, and sent down divers to wedge and plug as necessary.  Obtained one diver from HUSSAR; RELIANCE carries none.  Obtained services of Engineer Captain.  Ammunitioned from BONDICAR, very little shrapnel obtainable.  Coaled from QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT, and received stores from CARDSWELL.  Sent defective 12” valve box to RELIANCE.

About 1 a.m. 30^th, outside work sufficiently advanced to commence pumping, but could only get hand pumps to bear, and they would not reduce water.

About 7 a.m. 30^th, sent diver down to Cofferdam between 7 and 8 to take off manhole in steel deck.

Drained water into bilges abaft.  Considerable vibration of bulkhead between Bosn’s store and Cofferdam owing to air; shored up as necessary.  Pumps got water under about 1 p.m. on 30^th.  All compartments forward of 7 and part of cofferdam between 7 and 8 had been flooded, and the damage consisted of the following:- The 80 lb Protective Plating was found to have been split at the rivet holes on lower edge and forced inwards to about 4 ins.  The two thicknesses of 20 lb plating behind protective plating were found to be extensively damaged, one plate being turned inwards to approximately 9”, all rivets being sheared.  The protective deck was forced down 2” in frame space, many rivets sheared.  The collision bulkhead was buckled at boundary port side, many rivets sheared, length approximately 2 ft in depth.  The cofferdam bulkhead only slightly damaged at boundary angle; three rivets started.

In repairing the damage, divers placed wedges in fracture, and drove in oakum plugs where it was possible to do so effectively.  The water was then pumped out by Main Suction of Ship, taking about 6 hours.  The fracture was filled in with blankets, oakum, stiff red lead, and possible wedges.  Three cofferdams were constructed, consisting of cants 6” x 6” bolted to stiffeners of bulkheads, and planking of 3” deal boards bolted to them; the space was filled in with concrete up to deck, and whole securely caulked.  Shores were then placed from Starboard side to cofferdams.

Only small leakage of water discovered when compartments were closed down; quite within the pumping capacity of ship.

After various too sanguine estimates, defects were completed and compartments closed up, and ship sailed to rejoin Flag at 9.15 p.m. on 1^st, but was later recalled to pick up lapping gear, and returned to outer anchorage.

Sailed after receiving gear about 12.30 a.m; arrived off Dardanelles and proceeded to relieve VENGANCE.

1. Watts Jones

CAPTAIN (Act)

The Vice Admiral Commanding,

and Rear Admiral Commanding Divisions,

Eastern Mediterranean Squadron,

APPENDIX I

H.M.S. “ALBION”

29^th April 1915

LIST OF VOLUNTEERS IN LAUNCH AND SAILING PINNACE

P.O. 2Cl Fredk. Gibson, R.F.R. O.N. C/191025, Coxswain of launch, jumped overboard with a line, and got his boat beached.  He then took wounded to the RIVER CLYDE under heavy fire.  Witnessed by Lieut. Tysdale, R.N. Division and many of the Dublin Fusiliers.

H.T. Morrison. Smn. R.N.R., 1495. D. was of great assistance to P.O. Gibson, carrying out orders with coolness and alacrity.

Frank Dawe, A.B. D/231502, as Cox’n of the Sailing Pinnace showed courage in trying to beach his boat, until having to retire wounded.

Samuel Forsey, A.B., R.F.R., S.S.D/2059, took charge of sailing pinnace after Cox’n had been wounded; he succeeded in securing his boat to a lighter, eventually beaching her, and assisted to get pontoons in position for troops to land.

Jesse Lovelock, Ord. Sea. C/J 28798, assisted A.B. Forsey in securing boat to lighter and beaching her, then assisted in getting pontoons in position, also helped wounded on the beach and in boats to reach the “RIVER CLYDE”.

Samuel Quick. Sea. R.N.R. 3109.B.)

Jas. Rice. Smn. R.N.R. 1519D.        )             Volunteer Launch’s Crew.

Daniel Roach. Smn. R.N.R. 1685D.)

Wm. Thomas. Smn. R.N.R. 2208B.   )           Volunteer Sailing Pinnace’s Crew.

Wm. H. Kitchen. Smn. R.N.R4330A )

1. Watts Jones

CAPTAIN (Act)

H.M.S. “ALBION”

29^th April 1915

Sir,

I have the honour to submit the following account of such of the operations an 25^th and subsequent days as came under my notice.

In accordance with orders, “ALBION” anchored S.10.E true, 1300 yards from Cape Helles on the morning of 25^th.  At 5a.m. there was a slight mist especially between Seddul Bahr and No. 1 Fort, and hardly light enough to distinguish objects.  ”ALBION” opened fire at 5.4, and from then onwards fired deliberately into all objects overlooking ”V” Beach that seemed to be of military importance.

At 5.25 as the smoke over Area “A” was very thick, and no boats were approaching, checked fire.  Expenditure of ammunition up to this time being 6” 121 rounds, 12 pr. 54 rounds, 12” 2 rounds, both latter having been fired into S.W. Tower of Seddul Bahr Castle.

At 5.33 opened fire again, and continued as before.  At 5.50 observed boats from EURYALUS passing SWIFTSURE.  RIVER CLYDE and Fleet Sweepers approaching; increased rate of fire whenever boats seemed to be coming, decreased again when they proved not to be for ”V” Beach.

At 6.5 RIVER CLYDE passed to Starboard, but later dropped back.  Observed boats on “W” beach were under heavy fire.

At 6.25 SAPPHIRE signalled that our shot was falling on her landing party, (“Y” Beach).  ”ALBION” had fired at a trench on crest of hill close to Fort No. 1.  Checked fire accordingly.

At 6.33 observed ”CORNWALLIS” approaching with boats, and opened heavy fire, but checked again at 6.35 on observing the boats were not loaded.

At 6.37 observed loaded boats approaching, re-opened heavy fire.  The boats passed astern, and about this time “ALBION” received signal from “EURYALUS” to support “RIVER CLYDE”, and “RIVER CLYDE” passed astern.

At 6.44 observed fire on boats off “V” Beach.  At 6.45 boats were close to beach, checked fire, and then observed they were under heavy fire on the beach, from whence unknown.  At the same time “RIVER CLYDE” beached under heavy rifle and machine gun fire.

At 6.49 “ALBION” opened a continuous deliberate fire over head of boats.  At 6.50 boats cast off tow, and at 6.53 troops were landed on “V” beach with heavy loss, only a few men succeeding in crossing the beach and reaching the shelter afforded by the foreshore.

Many boats were drifting about helplessly, some broadside on to the beach with men in the water sheltering behind them.  “V” beach, and especially a rocky spit off the starboard bow of “RIVER CLYDE” being strewn with dead and wounded.  The lighters were ahead of “RIVER CLYDE” mostly on her Port bow.

In spite of the heavy cross fire on “V” beach, a few boats of the first tow got back, and at 7.5 observed them approaching “CLACTON”.

From about 7.15 onwards, disabled boats some with dead and wounded continued to come alongside ”ALBION”.  Dealt with boats as necessary and despatched them when ready to “CORNWALLIS”, and continued passing signals or information received.

About 8.10 an Officer of the Naval Division, and later the Beach Master came on board, and from them learnt that the “RIVER CLYDE” and “ARGYLE” were 50 ft apart, and that troops could not disembark, and that our troops were nowhere more than 100 yards from shore.

At 8.15, “QUEEN ELIZABETH” arrived; and informed her of situation.

At 9.10 having obtained permission from “QUEEN ELIZABETH”, hoisted out launch and pinnace manned by volunteer crews and loaded them with casks lashed under thwarts to form bridge, and sent them in tow to “RIVER CLYDE”.  Boats reached “RIVER CLYDE” at 9.50, but were apparently unable to get into place owing to heavy fire.

Throughout the forenoon continued firing on enemy’s supposed positions, occasionally checked by signal or reports, some of them inaccurate, old, or ambiguous, receiving wounded, and dealing with boats as requisite.

At 11.30 a.m. “EURYALUS” ordered boats for “V” beach to be diverted to “W” beach.

In afternoon continued the same as in forenoon, “ALBION” firing as desired by RIVER CLYDE.  By 4.30 p.m. rifle fire had considerably diminished, and “RIVER CLYDE” signalled asking for barrel pier.

At 5.35 ordered by Rear Admiral to attack hill 141, and directed fire accordingly.  At 6.30 ordered to weigh and close shore.  At 7.2 anchored in 10 fathoms, C. Helles N.28.W. 800 yards.  Could now see N.W. Side of wall of Seddul Bahr castle and more into the gullies below, and to eastward of Fort No. 1.  At 7.10 ceased fire.

At 7.30 “NEWMARKET” came alongside; discharged 23 dead and 45 wounded to her; all being troops or beach parties, including Captain Johnson of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, wounded, and the body of Mr. Handiman, Midshipman, late of  “CORNWALLIS” who died of his wounds on board “ALBION”.  About 8 p.m. Major Thomson, R.A., joined.

At about 9 p.m., I learnt from some of our boat keepers who had returned, that they had got the launch into position so that the troops from “RIVER CLYDE” could land.  About this time, a boat was sent to Cliff under Fort No. 1 to search for wounded seen in boat there, but could not find them.

Situation at dark as seen from “ALBION”.  “W” beach troops on hill 138, and at C. Helles signal station.  “V” beach troops dug in along fore shore, or in RIVER CLYDE, and under Seddul Bahr Castle wall, and behind Fort No. 3 earthworks.

S.W. Borderers visible along wall of Totts Battery.  The situation apparently precarious.

The expenditure of ammunition for day. All into Area “A” :- 12” 12, 6” common 604, shrapnel 294.  12 pr. Common 903, shrapnel 327.

All ranks and ratings of  “ALBION” did their duty, but mostly lacked the opportunity of distinguishing themselves.  I give however in Appendix I the names of volunteers who manned the launch and pinnace, particularly that of Petty Officer 2^nd Class Frederick Gibson, R.F.R., O.N. C/191025, who, as I understand from several sources, behaved most gallantly.

Able Seaman Frank Dawe, O.N. D/231502 was wounded while coxswain of the Sailing Pinnace.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

1. Watts Jones

CAPTAIN (Act)

The Vice Admiral Commanding

Eastern Mediterranean Squadron,

H.M.S. “QUEEN ELIZABETH”.

& Rear Admiral Commanding

Divisions.

H.M.S. “ALBION”

17^th April 1915

FIRST PHASE OF OPERATIONS.

SWEEPING THE STRAITS

1. The operation is to consist of a fast deliberate search for mines by destroyers, and their removal, if they are very heavily moored by French Sweepers.

ORDERS FOR SWEEPING.

1. Six large buoys are to be laid by the SAPHIRE in positions ordered at a distance of 500 yards apart (literally).       They will carry numeral flags numbered from N.N.W. to S.S.E. Two more buoys are to be laid in the following positions, No.7 being 8 cables N.61 E from Kum Kale Lt., and No.8 being S.S.E. 500 yards from No.7, next day by Destroyers as soon as the enemy’s gun fire is under control.
2. The course to be steered when sweeping is E.N.E., and after each sweep, destroyers will return to the line of buoys to start the next sweep.
3. One division of 6 destroyers is to sweep in “U” formation. The outer destroyers will take their departure first from 1 and 3 buoys, secondly from 2 and 4 buoys, and so on up the line; thus if accurate courses are steered, the whole ground will be covered twice; at all events it will allow for divergences of course.

If not required for any other service, the second division of four destroyers will be signalled to commence sweeping, and they are then to take up “A” formation, and commence sweeping E.N.E from No.8 buoy, and gradually work back across the line being very careful to overlap their last sweep every time.  The buoys being 500 yards apart are not ideally spaced for this formation, but will give a good guide so as to cover all the ground.

1. If under any fire that is likely to damage a destroyer seriously the leader of the Division when arriving at a position S.S.E. of Domuz Deresi is to order ”Slip Sweeps”. If however he finds no serious interference by the enemy, he is to go on as far as possible, but not more than a mile beyond that position.

Each time the sweeps are slipped the port destroyer of the division is to drop a white buoy to mark the distance of advance.

1. In the event of a sweep being spoilt by any misadventure such as a parting sweep, the leader is to order ”Slip Sweeps”, and the Sweep is to be recommenced over again.
2. AGAMEMNON will follow the destroyers in the first instance, and after that keep in the previously swept area to cover the operations.
3. Captain ”S” will be on board “AGAMEMNON”, and with the concurrence of the Captain of that Ship, will give any necessary orders such as to suspend operations temporarily until the enemy’s fire is controlled, and to recommence again, or in case of one or more destroyers being temporarily disabled to replace casualties.
4. Destroyers are at liberty to return the enemy’s fire whilst sweeping.
5. Three French Sweepers will follow AGAMEMNON, and are to be prepared to go ahead at once and clear any obstruction that may have been found, and parted the destroyer’s sweeps.
6. After this area is swept the destroyers are to be prepared to sweep the area to the southward of it. Both divisions acting as before, but sweeping from east to west, slipping their sweeps close to Henders Shoal.

A.W. Henage  CAPTAIN (S)

P/e G.G. Hammond

No 3142 2^nd 7^th Mc/r Reg.

27 Scarisbrick St.

Southport

9-4-15

Dear F & M,

I have been rather a long time in answering your letter but under the circumstances it was impossible to write sooner.  How is it that you seem to be making such a fuss about me being ill?  Did I not write last week telling you I was much better?  I might say that I had another bad turn and that I have only commenced parade today but I am now quite fit except for pains over my eyes like I used to have at school.

I am afraid that Pa will have to postpone his visit on the coming Saturday as the officer has promised me a pass home.  When I get home I shall have a doctor & get a certificate so that I can stay about a week.  If the doctor won’t give me a certificate I shall stay in any case and pay the penalty.  There is no doubt that I have had the rottenest illness I ever had in my life.  We went for a 15 mile march today, I did it all but about 4 miles, and I could have done that only there is nothing like playing the old soldier.

I am sorry to hear that Ma has not been well.  She will have to dash about when I get back I hope she is not worrying about me because as I said before I am quite alright only I am going to play the old soldier when I get back.

You all seen to have been having colds.  I heard from Willie this morning he has lost his position as section commander to the KTL for the time being as the others say they have not had a fair chance.

We are all having rifles shortly.  50 of our company have got them already, they are the proper Home Service Lee Metford pattern & not Japanese as have been served out to a number of the men here.  The Japanese rifles only hold 3 cartridges in the magazine whilst ours hold 10.  I am sorry to hear that Mr. Smith has been down with the Influ, but of course he has been under better treatment than I.  you know I have had an awful cough & when I asked the doctor for something to cure it he said that they had nothing for coughs.

I thought that I was going to get a pass last week but it did not work, there is a lot of underhand work goes on & if the chap in the orderly room is not a pal of yours it is practically impossible to work the oracle.  I had to leave the parade yesterday (old soldier) & when I saw the OC I asked him if there was any chance of sick leave, he said I should have to see the doctor so I knew it was off.  However he said that he would give me my leave at weekend so I shall remind him tomorrow.

Well I shall have to finish now & for heavens sake stop worrying I have found a place where I can get a badge.  Love George

PS I will write a PC on Thurs or Friday letting you know if I have my leave for certain G

The 8^th April 1915 brought to a head the long and bitter struggle between the Turkish citizens and the Armenian subjects living in Eastern Turkey. Early 1915 saw the Russians countering the potential threat of Turkish invasion of Southern Russia on the border with Eastern Turkey. Despite dreadful weather the Russians defeated the Turkish army. The Turkish Government sought revenge by rounding up hundreds of thousands of Armenian citizens, and shot approximately 50,000 men. The remaining Armenians either were force-marched into the mountains of Turkish Mesopotamia and the remainder of the population slaughtered. Approximately one million Armenians died 400,000 of the 500,000 during the forced march and another 500.000 massacred. 200.000 Armenian citizens had been forcibly converted to Islam.

Russia, France and Britain denounced the massacres as acts against “humanity and civilisation”. The charge was rejected by the Turkish Government on the grounds the allies had fermented Armenian unrest in the first place.

The Armenian massacre was to be the First Genocide of the 20^th Century.

On the 16^th April 1915, the price paid for the Secret Treaty of London was that Italy announced the end of her neutrality and joined forces with the British, French and Russian allies. Like the German Empire, Italy was a newly united European state. She had a growing population of 36 million citizens and was desperate to acquire additional territories. The country was facing wide rural poverty and mass illiteracy. The Government was economically backward and the Parliamentary system hardly functioned. Social reforms were either staggeringly inefficient or shelved.

In 1914, Italy remained neutral between the two opposing forces but over a period she conducted a diplomatic auction promising to join forces with the highest bidder. Germany and Austria-Hungary yielded too slowly to Italian demands for substantial additional territories. The Triple Alliance promised everything Italy requested.

The Second Battle of Ypres commenced on the 22^nd April 1915. The Ypres Salient followed the Yser Canal and bulged East around the town of Ypres. The Belgian army held the line from the coast of the English Channel to the Yser Canal. The French army held the Northern section of the Salient. British and Canadian forces held the Eastern sector. The attack commenced with the German army releasing 5,370 gas cylinders, each weighing 90lb. (41kg) along a 4 mile (6.5km) sector of the front line. The gas cylinders were carried by hand to the front line position. At approximately 5.00pm the cylinders were opened releasing the contents of chlorine gas against the Northern section of the salient defended by the French troops. The prevailing wind drove the gas-laden air drifted towards the Allied lines. However, whilst carrying out this operation a large number of German soldiers were injured or killed. The French army, consisting of French Territorial and Colonial Moroccan and Algerian troops suffered more than 6,000 casualties when the gas-laden air reached the trenches. Within 10 minutes many had died, mainly from damage to the lungs or asphyxiation. The chlorine gas blinded many troops. When chlorine gas mixes with moisture, it destroys the soft tissue of eyes and lungs. The denser than air gas quickly filled the trenches. Many French troops abandoned their trenches straight into enemy fire. The front line sustained a 4-mile gap, upon which the Germans were not able to capitalise. Not having foreseen the effectiveness of the gas attack the German High Command did not have sufficient reserve forces to exploit this advantage. Most of the available German reserve forces had been transferred to Russia. Canadian troops were able to fill the gap created by the French Moroccan line collapsing. To counter the effects of the gas the Canadian troops used urine saturated cloths over their nose and mouth. The demands of securing the left flank and being enveloped on three sides by the Germans the 13^th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force took very heavy casualties.

Two battalions of the Canadian army were ordered to counter-attack Kitchener’s Wood to close the gap created by the gas attack. Forming up and advancing in two waves the two battalions ran into small arms fire whilst they were still only halfway to the wood. This resulted into a bayonet charge, finally clearing the wood of the Germans but at a cost of 75% casualties.

Before the gas attack the village of St. Julien had been behind the lines in the British sector. After the gas attack St. Julien was the front line. Despite the stand by Lance Corporal Frederick Fisher employing a machine gun to halt the German advance, a further gas attack enabled the Germans to secure the village. For his gallant defensive action Fisher was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross. Between the 8^th May 1915 and 27^th May 1915 the German army forced the British to retreat and established a straightened but shortened front line salient to the East of Ypres.

All combatants took huge casualties:-

The German army almost 35,000

The French army almost 21,000

The British army almost 60,000

The Canadian army almost 6,000

During the 2^nd Battle of Ypres, the Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McRae MD wrote his memorable poem “In Flanders Fields” which established the poppy as the symbol of sacrifice.

Landings on Gallipoli began on the 25^th April 1915. The Mediterranean Expeditionary Force (MEF) consisting of British, French and Anzac troops. Awaiting them were 84,000 Turkish troops. The French mounted a diversionary attack at Kum Kale on the Southern, Asiatic side of the Dardanelles.  British forces landed at Cape Helles at the south end of the Gallipoli peninsular. Their orders were to destroy the forts defending the narrow entrance to the Dardanelles. In the meantime, the Anzacs attacked the Western coast to cross the peninsular and cut the lines of communication to prevent any Turkish re-enforcements reaching the defenders.

Despite the British landing on 5 points at Cape Helles Point and the Anzacs landing at Ari Burnu (known as Anzac Cove) the landings were not successes. Hamilton’s plans for invasion had caused some confusion to the Turkish defenders as regards the MEF strategy; however the British did not exploit any advantage offered. Well-defended Turkish defensive positions trapped the attackers on the beach but the Anzac landings met with limited resistance. Confusion occurred because the Anzacs had inferior maps of the area, which gave the Turkish troops time to re-organise their defences. Some Anzacs forces moved quickly inland and reached the high ground of Chunuk Bar but they were soon in retreat from a Turkish counter attack. By dusk, the Anzacs had retreated to the beach having taken very heavy casualties.

By the time darkness fell on the 25^th April 1915, the allies had attained little more than establishment on the beaches. Stalemate transpired as the Turkish defenders took up positions on the high ground.

Hamilton did try to break the stalemate and get his forces inland but necessity forced both sides to dig in. Trench warfare had begun at Gallipoli, not dissimilar to that on the Western Front.

On the 26^th April 1915, the Treaty of London commits Italy to take-up arms against Austria-Hungary on the side of the Entente Powers.